Friday, February 26, 2010

Every once in a while a Saturday night needs to be about fun. Not perfection, not whats great...just fun. This lp is all about that premise.The only real star here is Hodges, the rest... a bunch of unknowns who share the same 15 minutes.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

I am a sucker for the deep registers of a baritone sax. While not the flights of fancy of an alto, nor the stand firm posturing of of the tenor, baritone players seem to be of a different breed. Whether performing their own material or covering a standard there is always such a leisurely feeling to their playing.

This is Cecil Payne's first recording as a leader and it is no exception. Swinging as hard as any post bop lp, it still manages to seem laid back. Perfect for late in the evening as things wind down, just before the vocalists go on.

Cecil PaynePatterns In Jazz

1. This Time The Dream's On Me2. How Deep Is The Ocean3. Chessman's Delight4. Arnetta5. Saucer Eyes6. Man of Moods7. Bringing Up Father8. Groovin' High

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

This is an NPR broadcast that I captured on what would have been Monk's 80th birthday. The broadcast is hosted by Nancy Wilson and while it contains no surprises, it is still a bit of fun listening.

The show has not been broken down into individual tracks and is presented here in a single 45 min. track.

I was originally going to schedule this to post on Monk's b-day but I had to look that up. Then I see that the man actually passed away on this date so I thought I would honor him by offering this little token to the blogosphere.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

When I lived just outside of Chicago, I was lucky enough to stumble across an "antique store" a couple of towns over that had loads of lps in the basement, including an extensive jazz section. Careful mining only yielded a couple of real killers though. Just the same, Jamal was a local somewhat and all of his Argo/Cadet lps were in abundance and cheap as hell.

Despite the fact that Miles says I should love Jamal, more often than not he leaves me cold. I wish I would have seen him live when I had so many chances. That may have added more perspective to my opinion.

Despite that, Jamal put out a couple of records that stun me. Not just OK records but really really good ones. This is one of them.

Count Em 88Ahmad Jamal Trio

1. Volga Boatman2. Green Dolphin Street3. How About You4. I Just Can't See For Lookin'5. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year6. Beat Out One7. Maryam8. Easy To Remember9. Jim Love Sue

Saturday, February 13, 2010

I've listened to these tracks pretty closely and I am fairly sure I don't have these versions of the Art Pepper tracks elsewhere.

I know I don't have the Shelly Manne tracks but I know very little of him. Assuming that those tracks are different that previous versions as I suspect the Pepper tracks are then you truly have a little gem here. The Art Pepper tracks would have been recorded during his mid 50s period.

I bit of research turned up this from dustygroove...

Excellent work by both players -- even if the source of the material's a bit sketchy! This set probably has less to do with the Charlie Parker imprint than most albums on that label -- and we suspect that the material was taped by Apex in LA, and later relased by Charlie Parker in a dodgy one-off deal. Who cares, though? Side one features some incredible work from Art Pepper -- playing here in a quartet with Russ Freeman on piano, and sounding incredibly sharp, with an edge that's missing from some of his bigger-known sides at the time. The group plays "Diane", "Pepper Pot", and "Besame Mucho", as well as a great version of "I Surrender Dear". Side two features Shelly Manne leading a very unusual group -- a sextet with piano by Robert Gil, and a heavily percussive lineup that includes extra drums, bongos, and conga. The sides have a strong Latin flavor, in keeping with the red peppers on the cover of the album.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

So if you ever wanted to hear what a real Savoy record sounds like, here's your chance. Of course decent copies of these records are few and far between and excruciatingly expensive. Or they are simply so beat as to be worthless. Luckily I found one somewhere between. This has seen its share of late nights and probably a few early mornings.

A Savoy reissue of a couple of different sessions. Everything here should be recognizable but goddamn if it ain't a lot of fun!

I sometimes find myself awed that a talent like this was silenced before I was even born.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

There's just something about the trombone and heavy snow that go together. Eddie obviously knew that from this lp cover. Tonight I am looking at another foot of the white stuff and it looks like a day off tomorrow. A great night to post a record like this.

Like any good snowstorm, this starts languid and slow but picks up steam as she goes. By the time everything wraps up, you have a pretty nice little overlooked bop album.

All told, Hank Jones' piano rules this record.

Like CoolThe Contemporary Trombone Artistry of Eddie Bert

1. I'm Through With Love2. Blue Beetle...Original3. In A Meditating Mood4. Father Time5. Cool School Days6. Pennies From Heaven7. Home Cookin'8. Speedster

Sunday, February 7, 2010

I love this quiet early Evans trio record. Even though I just posted Evans a couple of days ago, this recording seems to sit perfectly with the 22 inches of snow I got. I suppose that justifies the version of "Santa Claus" included on this lp.

What may seem like a light, dismissable recording stands the test of time come daylight.

Had this record been recorded just a few years later, it would have been a CTI release. And it sounds every bit like one.

And it heralds the great things by Evans yet to come.

And totally unrelated to the music, a fantastic cover.

Bill Evans TrioTrio '64

1. Little Lulu2. A Sleeping Bee2. Always4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town5. I'll See You Again6. For Heaven's Sake7. Dancing In The Dark8. Everything Happens To Me

Thursday, February 4, 2010

I recently found myself on the wrong side of a discussion about Blue Note records. Everyone on the message board had been fawning over records that I had been listening to for years. Or rather, not been listening to for years because I felt over familiar with them.

Did this make them bad records? Of course not. But it also led me to thinking "Why don't I ever listen to those bebop records that turned me on so long ago?" I mean those records turned me on my ear at one time. I couldn't get enough of the slurred notes, that blistering pace, all the while sounding perfectly natural to me. Not a hint of anything "outside" no matter how wild they may have been in their time.

I have spent the last couple of weeks revisiting some of those records. I'm thinking I may like to share a few with you all.

And why not start with the master himself? A posthumous release on the label named after the man himself. I love the fact that this recording is less than perfect. I can only imagine what a live Parker performance must have been.

While those live performances have been documented extensively, unless you are a completest, there are plenty that slip by. Here's one I really like.

Charlie ParkerThe Happy Bird

1. Happy Bird Blues2. Scrapple From The Apple3. I Remember April4. I May Be Wrong

There are no liner credits on my lp, but I am sure someone will be along shortly to fill us in. And I mean that in the nicest way.

The Facts

Essentially these posts are records taken from my own personal collection. The contributions are clearly marked.For the most part everything is taken directly from vinyl, and is mp3 320 format. These recordings are not run through a computer or any other editing software. You are hearing what I hear as I sit in my living room sipping a cool bourbon. This is the raw product and oftentimes it has seen better days. But these lps have found a loving home in their old age. I hope you enjoy them as much as me.I'm not here as an expert, just a fan. It's all about the joy music instills.

DIGGIN' THESE

Reposts for your pleasure

I will repost some records if there is interest. Best to leave an email address when you request, that way if I don't repost the lp I can at least send you a private link. If I am going to repost a recording, I will update the post completely and put it on the front page.

The music contained in this blog is intended for educational, non-commercial use. It is intended to create wild passionate feelings in the listeners. I will be in no way held responsible for any nights of drinking and love-making that these records may inspire, nor will I be responsible for any offspring. The music is transferred from what are believed to be out-of-print sources. If any of these files infringe upon rights that you hold, please notify us so that we can quickly remove the referenced items.